Medical sampling and reading

ABSTRACT

Automatic sampling and reading equipment and methods for use in supplying biological samples to an automatic analyzer and in correlating test results from the automatic analyzer with the identity of the patient providing each sample. The equipment successively indexes a tray of containers each having a biological specimen therein first to a sampling station where a probe withdraws a sample comprising a desired amount of specimen and later to a reading station where an encoded identification plate affixed to the adjacent container is electronically read. The reader at the reading station experiences relative displacement in respect to the identification plate being read, caused by the operation of a drive assembly, and hold-down or guard assembly is provided to insure an accurate reading during the indicated displacement. Withdrawn samples, separated by segments of air, water, and air, are delivered seriatim to the automatic analyzer which tests each sample. An output of the test results from the automatic analyzer in the form of a strip chart is correlated with a print out of the patient identification indicia sensed at the reading station so that the results of the tests are properly related back to the correct patient from whom a given specimen was originally taken. The probe is periodically purged, flushed or cleansed of residual sample by expelling water from the tip thereof into a discharge basin. Clean water is simultaneously displaced to the analyzer between samples, being insulated by air on each side as previously indicated. A mechanism is provided for discharging any clot or clogs from the probe which are experienced during operation of the sampling equipment. Also, a liquid level detector properly locates the probe in the sample.

' United States Patent 1 Ure et al.

[ MEDICAL SAMPLING AND READING [75] Inventors: Spencer M. Ure, Midvale; Louls E.

Davis; Darrell B. Stelnlcke, both of Bountiful; Robert L. Morrell, Midvale, all of Utah [73] Assignee: Bio-Logl'cs Products, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah 22 Filed: Sept. 14, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 71,969

[52] US. Cl. 73/423 A, 23/253 [51] Int. Cl. G0ln l/l4 [58] Field of Search 73/423 A; 23/253, 23/259 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,252,330 5/1966 Kling 73/423 A 3,424,557 l/1969 Skeggs 23/253 R 3,635,094 1/1972 Oberli 73/423 A 3,266,298 8/1966 Whitehead... 73/53 3,320,618 5/1966 Kuch et a1. 73/53 3,526,125 9/1970 Gilford et a1. 73/423 A 3,424,557 1/1969 Skeggs 73/423 A 3,266,298 8/1966 Whitehead 73/423 A [57] ABSTRACT Automatic sampling and reading equipment and methodsfor use in supplying biological samples to an auto- [11] 3,754,444 [4 1 Aug. 28, 1973 matic analyzer and in correlating test results from the automatic analyzer with the identity of the patient providing each sample. The equipment successively indexes a tray of containers each having a biological specimen therein first to a sampling station where a probe withdraws a sample comprising a desired amount of specimen and later to a reading station where an encoded identification plate aflixed to the adjacent container is electronically read. The reader at the reading station experiences relative displacement in respect to the idenn'fication plate being read, caused by the operation of a drive assembly, and hold-down or guard assembly is provided to insure an accurate reading during the indicated displacement. Withdrawn samples, separated by segments of air, water, and air, are delivered seriatim to the automatic analyzer which tests each sample. An output of the test results from the automatic analyzer in the form of a strip chart is correlated with a print out of the patient identification indicia sensed at the reading station so that the results of the tests are properly related back to the correct patient from whom a given specimen was originally taken. The probe is periodically purged, flushed or cleansed of residual sample by expelling water from the tip thereof into a discharge basin. Clean water is simultaneously displaced to the analyzer between samples, being insulated by air on each side as previously indicated. A mechanism is provided for discharging any clot or clogs from the probe which are experienced during operation of the sampling equipmenL'Also, a liquid level detector properly locates the probe in the sample.

7 Claims, 43 Drawing Figures PATENTEU M1628 m3 3154.444

sum 01 or 2| encode container idenificafion within hospital obtain specimen printer BY FIG. I

i, iurni place specimen containers n tray automatic sampler reader WVENTORS- SPENCER MURE LOUIS E. DAVIS t I DARREL B. STEINICKE ROBERT L.

cen ra pmc'aor MORRELL PATENTEDmsza I975 srm n2 or 21 P TENIEmusza ma 3, 754,444 sum nuur 1 "of no. 50

head starts drops.

reader up. guard sum as or 21 plate end read cycle sad is completed reader head scans LO. row by row turntable power switch reader head sto at botto power is on to turntable fuse .B "M m wfim Dvoe m n r m mm 4.. r Pd d P mwam w mmo 98 r" m GL 1 I .lll'lllllllllL m Q r 0 Q mminmcza ms llllrl ||l 3199a! to turn off reader output FIG. 5 b

strip chart printer r' out Bsttt m |.o. next to test results on PATENTEflM'm 3.754.444 sum 07 or 21 moozwre to clot W 5 alarm I;

cont'nuous flow of v cistied water Lo qischorqo I? can FIG. 6

distilled water 22%;; 4 3 FIG. 7

to out at dolo I ond'coettrol log i'c reader top d v imitswitch 54 control reader IOMOI I mo mgior bottom I'mit ampllfier 7 94 9 266 art; reader nude, W

82 lamp power lump. arm top 93 SUPP'Y limit switch um 53 control orm arm ombott F loglc mo motor mswnch s o amplifier flush V l' IOO I02 Ml soleno|d valve 620 FIG. 25

PATENIEBmcza ms 7545444 saw user 21 PATENTEmucze ms 3. 754,444

sum osnr 21 PATENTEDmcza ms 3" 754 saw 10 or 21 PATENTEDAUG 28 ms SHEET 11 0F 21 PAIENIEMuaaa ma 3; 75 5 sum 13 or 21 PATENTEDmczs I975 sum 1a or 21 nmm GE PATENTED AUG 2 8 {975 sum 16 or 21 PAIENIEBmcze um sum 1? ur 21 PATENIEflmza ma saw 19 or 21 w J .525 52:0 E9: 

1. Apparatus for sampling a biological specimen comprising a flushing station comprising vessel means receiving and draining discharge flush solution; a sampling station; a plurality of containers each adapted to contain aligned biological specimen; means for sequentially positioning said containers at the sampling station; a hollow probe having a tip end adapted to be sequentially inserted into the flush solution at the flushing station and the container for liquid biological specimen present at the sampling station, said hollow probe having electrodes forming electrical contacts spaced therealong at the tip end thereof; drive means for moving the probe between stations and the probe tip into the flush solution and the container for liquid biological specimen; aspirating means connected to the end of the probe remote from the tip end thereof whereby fluid is aspirated through the said probe; circuit means including said spaced contacts for operating said drive means whereby said drive means is stopped when said tip end is immersed in liquid and a circuit is completed between said spaced electrical contacts; and means for rendering the drive means ineffective when the probe contacts the vessel means.
 2. Apparatus for sampling a biological specimen as in claim 1, wherein the flush solution is distilled water.
 3. Apparatus for sampling a biological specimen as in claim 1, wherein the electrodes form electrically insulated, concentric tubular portions of the probe.
 4. Apparatus for sampling a biological specimen as in claim 1, wherein the drive means includes a motor and the means for rendering the drive means ineffective comprises a slip clutch connected to the motor.
 5. Apparatus for sampling a biological specimen as in claim 1, further including a projecting encoded identification device carried by each container; a reader mechanism having a head containing means for detecting encoded material on the projecting identification device; means for moving said head into and out of position to detect the encoded material; and means for disabling the means for sequentially positioning said containers at the sampling station when said head is in position to detect the encoded material.
 6. In a method processing blood serum specimens to be tested comprising: collecting in test tubes blood specimens from several patients; initially centrifuging the blood specimens in the collection test tubes; dispensing a measure of resin into each collection test tube; again centrifuging the specimens to achieve segregation of serum from cells with the resin being disposed at the interface therebetween; placing and retaining the collection test tubes with segregated contents at separate locations in a circular tray, non-rotatably mounting the tray to the drive of a turntable mechanism and rotating the tray to successively place the collection tubes at a sampling station, and withdrawing a sample from each collection test tube by use of an aspirating probe that is inserted into the upper portion of the specimen in each of the test tubes in turn and that is inserted into a wash solution intermediate insertion into adjacent test tubes.
 7. In a sampling, reading and testing apparatus for biological samples, means successively delivering containers with biological specimen therein to a sampling station, the containers comprising an identification device with coded information identifying the container; means sampling each container following arrival at the sampling station and communicating each sample to automatic biological testing means, the automatic biological testing means comprising structure for printing on a medium the results of tests performed on the sample; means successively reading the coded indicia of each identification device; circuitry for processing signals obtained from the reading means; output means comprising a printer Disposed adjacent the medium and responsive to processed signals to print container identification outputs on the medium adjacent the location at which the test results from the corresponding container are printed; and paper feed mechanism comprised of opposed drive and idler roller, bracket means eccentrically carrying one of said roller means, the bracket means comprising frame mounting means rotatably coupled to the remainder of the bracket means accommodating selective displacement of the carried roller means and the bracket means between a position remote to the other roller means and a position urging the medium against the other roller means, the bracket means comprising biasing means urging the bracket means and the carried roller means toward the last-mentioned position, and power means for rotating the drive roller means to displace the medium across the printer. 